What is Non Medical Home Care?
Home Care aims to help senior citizens who live at home with assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). This encompasses activities such as meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry, bathing and hygiene assistance, and help getting dressed. These are activities that allow a senior to age in place in their own home. This is not to be confused with Home Health, which deals with medical issues and rehabilitation therapy. Home care does not deal with shots, physical therapy, and other medical assistance many seniors need at home. It is important to note that home care is usually not covered by Medicare, and will have to be covered by insurance or as an out of pocket expense.
There are many different types of home care and forms of assistance. Below, you can find some of the basic types of home care, as well as what type of care and services you can expect.
Companion Care
Companionship care helps to act like another member of the family or friend. The caregiver become an aide whose purpose is to keep the senior company. Some of the common activities or services they provide are:
Homemaking
Homemaking deals with many of the simple, daily activities of life. Here is a list of some of the basic services they provide:
Personal Care
As many seniors age, it becomes more difficult for them to stay mobile and physically independent. Personal Care helps seniors with mobility and independence, including the following services:
Hygiene Care
One of the first things to go for many seniors is their hygiene. As they age, it becomes more and more difficult for them to fulfill the basic tasks necessary for good hygiene.
Wellness Care
Many home care providers will also work with a senior to try and provide non-medical services pertaining to health and wellness. This can come from planning nutritional meals, establishing light exercise regiments, and even helping to improved cognitive acuteness. Discussing this with your primary physician and home care provider could help to implement care that focuses on the senior’s specific wellness needs.
The cost for non-medical home care will vary depending on the level of care needed and geographical location. Home care does cost less than other alternatives, such as adult day care, assisted living, and skilled nursing. It generally ranges from $10 to $36 per hour, and the average in 2015 was $20 per hour. The best way to set a budget is to determine how many hours a week of assistance the senior will need.
Conclusion
Nearly all seniors claim they would like to stay in their house for as long as possible. As they age, it becomes more difficult for them to remain independent, while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Home care can provide seniors with two main types of care: Companion Care and Personal Care. Companion care helps to ensure the senior can stay cognitively healthy. Companions help keep a senior company, help them still get out and participate in activities, and offer a friend in the house. Personal Care deals with activities that involve touching and moving a patient. Feeding, bathing, be able to get around the house, and keep up with hygiene is very important! Although home care it is not covered by Medicare, it has profound benefits for many seniors.